Casey chaos averted by birdie hat-trick

A late hat-trick of birdies saved Paul Casey from a nightmare start to his challenge at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Just four days after claiming his fifth European Tour title, Casey looked like crashing back to earth at Fanling Golf Club.

The 28-year-old fired a final round 65 in the Volvo China Open in nearby Shenzhen on Sunday, wiping out a five-shot deficit before beating fellow Englishman Oliver Wilson in a play-off.

The win lifted Casey back into the world’s top 50 – he rose 12 places from 61st to 49th – which will guarantee him a place in next year’s US Masters if he can remain there at the end of the year.

But the chances of earning any more world ranking points looked slim to say the least after the Ryder Cup star slumped to six over par after nine holes this morning.

Starting on the 10th, Casey ran up a double-bogey six at the 11th and then dropped four more shots in the space of five holes to go to the turn in 42.

A first birdie of the day finally arrived on the fourth – his 13th – but that was sandwiched between two more dropped shots and it took birdies at the last three holes to salvage a four-over-par round of 74.

“Everything that could happen on the first nine, happened,” admitted Casey. “I was stuck behind trees, in bunkers, it was all going against me.

“Even on the par-five third, I hit the pin with my approach and it bounced back into the bunker. Thomas (Bjorn, his playing partner) was laughing at me.

“I was a little bit mentally drained after last week but that doesn’t account for that. I didn’t feel that fresh this morning I must admit but that doesn’t excuse my front nine.

“But I’d rather have a win last week and struggle this week than have two average weeks. The way I finished was very encouraging and I will try and take that form out there again tomorrow.”

Casey was at least not alone in struggling to maintain last week’s form, Wilson going to the turn in 41 on his way to a 75, and Surrey’s Ross Fisher - who led after the third round last week and went on to finish fourth – carding a 7.

Korea’s Wook-Soon Kang – winner here in 1998 – held the lead on six under par with India’s Jyoti Randhawa, Canada’s Rick Gibson and Swede Martin Erlandsson a shot behind.

England’s Richard McEvoy was a stroke further back on four-under, while defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez recorded a 69, Thomas Bjorn finished on level par and Nick Dougherty was one-over.

McEvoy won the tour’s qualifying school in 2003 but lost his card in 2004 despite starting this event with a 62 before eventually finishing 15th.

The 26-year-old former Walker Cup player won back his playing rights via the Challenge Tour this year and added: “It is the end of a long year but it does feel like a fresh start for me.

“I’m very pleased to be back on tour and I’m going to try my hardest to make the most of it this year. I learned a lot two years ago but didn’t perform to my capabilities.”

Colin Montgomerie was among the afternoon starters and looked like he would regret not following Padraig Harrington and pulling out of the event when he bogeyed the second and ran up a double-bogey seven on the third.

But the 42-year-old Scot, who admitted he was “knackered” by the battle to secure his eighth Order of Merit title, played the next 15 holes in three-under to record a 69.

“There was nothing really wrong, three decent 65s and you never know,” said Montgomerie.

“Two-over after three holes wasn’t a great start but I did okay, battled back, and there are three more rounds to go.”

Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane were best for the Irish finishing joint 15th at two under. David Higgins is one shot behind them and Peter Lawrie and Michael Hoey are at two over.